Feb 17
Perspective and point of view walk into the classroom hand in hand… and immediately start causing confusion. Students think they’re twins, but they’re more like siblings with wildly different personalities. Perspective focuses on how characters see the world, not how the story is told, and once students understand that difference, their comprehension deepens dramatically. Are …
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Feb 10
In Lisa Fipps’ novel And Then, Boom!, readers follow the journey of Joseph Oak, a young boy navigating tough family situations. The story touches on themes like homelessness and the importance of community support. This is an excellent book for upper elementary students. Joseph lives with his grandmother and mother, who often leaves due to …
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Feb 03
Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to introduce enjoyable, themed activities in your classroom that reinforce important skills such as reading comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. To make this holiday both engaging and educational, I have developed a series of activities that your students will enjoy while learning about legends, practicing grammar, and even decoding …
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Jan 28
Inventor’s Day is the perfect opportunity to blend creativity, research, and writing in your classroom. These three high‑interest Inventor’s Day writing activities help students explore fascinating inventions, trace the evolution of technology, and discover how simple ideas became million‑dollar successes. Each project includes a writing component and ends with a bulletin board display that showcases …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1549
Jan 20
In Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s novel The War that Saved My Life, readers meet Ada, a young girl with a clubfoot, during World War II. This historical fiction novel examines human strength and the transformative power of love and acceptance. Ada and her brother, Jamie, are evacuated from London to the countryside to escape the war. …
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Jan 13
Teaching character traits in upper elementary can feel a little like explaining why your dog needs a Halloween costume. It’s confusing at first, but surprisingly rewarding once it clicks. Students often think traits are just random adjectives, but they’re actually the engine behind a character’s choices, relationships, and growth. When kids understand what motivates a …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=427
Jan 06
Students love to summarize the setting of a story as “It takes place in a house,” but we both know setting is so much more than a location. It shapes the plot, builds the mood, influences characters, and sometimes becomes a character itself. When students understand how setting works, they begin to see why events …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=405
